The Home Team: Ex-Cat Bruschi inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame

The New England Patriots honored former Arizona Wildcats linebacker Tedy Bruschi with his induction into the team’s hall of fame Sept. 12.

Bruschi’s induction came as no surprise. He was, after all, one of the best defensive players in New England’s history. Bruschi’s 680 career tackles and four defensive touchdowns are the second-most in franchise history; he also led the Patriots in forced fumbles with 17 during his 13-year career.

The linebacker was named to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and won three Super Bowls.

He was drafted out of UA in 1996 as a third-round selection of the Patriots.

Player of the Week

• Lance Briggs LB, Chicago Bears

The Arizona alum was busy Sunday with a team-high eight solo tackles as the Bears went on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The eight-tackle game was the most for Briggs since he collected nine against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 11, 2011. Briggs and the Bears will hit the road Sunday for the first time this season as they travel to Pittsburgh. Briggs last faced the Steelers in 2009, and recorded eight tackles in the win.

Four to watch

• Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots

The former UA standout could make his 2013 debut Sunday. He has been kept out by offseason surgeries to his back and forearm.

• Brooks Reed, LB, Houston Texans

The former Sabino High Sabercat picked up three tackles in an overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans last week. Reed and the Texans will look to remain unbeaten Sunday at Baltimore.

• Nick Folk, K, New York Jets

Folk stayed perfect on the year in field goal attempts by converting a 37-yarder in a 13-10 loss at New England. The Jets play another AFC East Division foe, the Buffalo Bills, this week.

• Dan Buckner, WR, Arizona Cardinals

The former UA receiver was signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad this past week. Arizona is preparing to play at New Orleans, a team that has allowed 392 yards through the air this season.

The Big Number

37

With an assisted tackle in the Houston Texans’ win over Tennessee last week, former Wildcats nose tackle Earl Mitchell raised his career total to 37 assisted tackles in his four years in the NFL.

Give the Devil his due

Every week, we’ll highlight one former ASU player who’s playing well at the pro level. (Relax, people, it’s just one guy.)

Zach Miller, TE, Seattle Seahawks

The second-round pick in the 2007 draft increased his yardage total for the season to 64 after he had 22 yards on two catches in a victory against the 49ers. So far this season, Miller is tied for second on the team with five catches. The Seahawks will look to improve to 3-0 when they take on Jacksonville on Sunday.

He said it

“The one thing that sticks out right now is when we need a score, our offense will get that score. Last year, really any year, defensively, we think we need to create a turnover and score in order for us to score.”

— Lance Briggs, to the Chicago Tribune after the Bears improved to 2-0 with a 31-30 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Chicago and Briggs have now won seven of their last eight meetings against the Vikings.